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: Jan 5 1905 



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)• IBKARYof OONGRtSS 
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FEB 6 1905 

1= OLHSS O^ XXc. iMoi 
t COPY B. 






Lovingly Dedicated 

To 

My Mother 



Spring 



Through the meadows, o'er the hills, 
By the sparkling streams. 

Peep the dainty buttercups 
From their beds of green. 

All the bright S])ring sunshine 

In their cups they hold, 
Thus appear these little flowers 

Like chalices of gold. 

Where the birds are singing, 
Where the brooklets gleam, 

Wake the ' ' baby blue eyes ' ' 
From their winter's dream. 



And as up to Heaven 

They look through morning's dew 
Each petal catches something 

Of the sky's clear azure blue. 

Thus is Nature smiling 

Amidst the merry din 
Of birds that chant sweet praises 

Of her draperies for Spring. 

1901. 



Pictures in tl)c Embers 



J5>.^j^^ 5r^€€ 



An old man sat in his easy chair 
By the side of a blazing grate, 

'Twas cold, for the night was stormy, 
Bnt the hour was far from late. 



He leaned his head on the head-rest soft 

And gazed at the embers red. 
Feelings of sadness and joy coming o'er him 

As he thought of the years^ that had fled. 



Silently watching the bright coals glow 
He seemed to see once more, 

AVith almost life-like vividness, 
The scenes and friends of yore. 



Grand were the pictures those embers made. 
Incased in their frames of sorrow and pleasure, 

Now growing clear, now fading away 
Like music of soft and sweet measure. 



Once again the flowers bloomed and blossomed, 
Once again he was care free and young. 

Once again he listened with boyish delight 
To the songs the dear home folks sung. 



At the door of a cottage thatched and old 
Stood his mother with mournful eyes, 

As she gave him advice for his coming years, 
And hade him that last good-bye. 

In a room that is dim in the twilight 
He sees with her sweet, happy smile, 

His sister, so fragile yet loving, 

Who had brightened their home but a while. 

Back came the merry old school days. 
Those days always most free from care. 

How many kind faces smiled at him, 
How many old joys lingered there. 

Then in the calm pride of manhood 

He, through the shady lane. 
Walked with fair Ellen, his sweetheart, 

And tells her Love's story again. 

He sees at his knee a cherub, 
A petite, winsome baby aged four. 

How tenderly sweet is her chatter, 
Heard, alas, in the household no more. 

The old man moved in his easy chair 

By the side of a flameless grate. 
And sighed, for the night was stormy. 

And the hour was very late. 

1899. 



n Buncb of Uioim 



Dear little purple blossoms, 

Filling with fragrance the room, 

Emblems of love and of beauty, 
Dispelling the evening gloom. 

As you lie on my study table 

You call to my mind pleasant scenes 

Of days now long gone that were merry 
That will ever in memory gleam. 

Your presence recalls an Easter, 

Bright with dazzling sunshine and shade, 
A day that was very joyous. 

And the friends who its happiness made. 

Oh, fair, fading blossoms of Springtime, 
Sweet reminders of days that are past. 

You prove to me ever so clearly 
That nothing we value can last. 



All, all must thus pass from vision, 
God's flowers and His children, too; 

Oh, teach me, dear blossoms, so lovely, 
To be sweet, unassuming, like you. 

1900. 



meditation 

'Tis afternoon of June, the eighteenth day; 
I sit mthin the study hall alone 
And think as I have not for many years. 
The window at my side is open wide ; 
Without I see the Summer clouds at play. 
The trees are tossing in the gentle breeze, 
The birds are singing in wild ecstacy. 

Why sit I thus and think so pensively? 
Ah ! you do not know the thoughts that throng 
Within my busy brain as Time wears on 
And leaves a memory like an old, sweet song. 
List, and I '11 whisper in your ear a word, 
Or can it be, the reason you have heard? 

Only four days and eves must pass away 
Ere from this school I go with thoughts of |)ain ; 
For though 'tis joy to know from work I'm free, 
Perhaps we all may never meet again— 
For Life's uncertain, and its billowy sea 
May drift us to some unknown distant lea. 

These present friends whose smiles have cheered 

me on 
As patiently I trod my way along 
I'll not forget till Life's last hymn is sung; 



And though my future path a desert be, 

The memory of their glad and friendly ways 

Shall be indeed an oasis to me, 

Where T may rest to dream of past bright days. 

All through my Course each day a milestone seemed, 
Engraved with pleasant thought of joys now o'er; 
Yet, brighter than all these shall ever gleam 
The last few days I've spent within these walls, 
Where merriment and goodwill forward came. 
Where each hour as it passed some trinket held. 
And each glance a more tender one became. 

1900. 



Co my friend 



Thy birthday came on Tuesday last, 

A stranger in a new, fair land. 
Without the friends you knew of yore 

To wish thee well or clasp thy hand. 

Yet there is one who but of late 

Has joined a link in your friendship chain, 
Who wishes thee all that life can give, 

And birthdays o'er and o'er again. 

Thy life, the future, I can't tell; 

May it in coming years 
Be filled with Life's glad sunshine 

And know naught of sighs or tears. 

Ma}^ each year as it comes and goes 
Bring wisdom and contentment, too; 

May friends be ever near to aid. 

Who'll ever prove kind, staunch and true, 

May Joy her pinions ever wave 

In triumph o'er thy home, thy land; 

May all the blessings Angels know 
Make thee in fine— A Noble Man. 

1899. 



Tn metnoridm 

At night when the sky is bespangled, 

I have noticed a new splendor there; 
At evening, when home from my labor, 

I noticed a lone, vacant chair. 
Once more has God in His wisdom 

Unfastened the family chain, 
And a link to His bright home has taken, 

Where enter no trouble or pain. 

Grandma sleeps, all her life work completed ; 

Her pleasures and tasks are all o 'er, 
With her loved and her lost ones she's dwelling 

On a far away distant shore. 
Her journey through life was quite varied. 

She sailed seas of joy and of pain; 
But her barque now is anchored at Heaven, 

Where she rests ne'er to journey again. 

We miss her at morn and at evening. 

Her place can by no one be filled; 
We long for her and her kindness. 

But the heart that once loved us is still. 
She sleeps, and the birds from the thicket, 

And the murmuring, gentle breeze. 
Sing soft, soothing hymns of requiem 

O 'er her home 'neath the Autumn leaves. 
In memory of Mrs. Catherine Totman. 

1.901. 



Tn ealifornia 

In the Spring, in California 

'Tis a pleasure just to live; 
Everything with life is stirring, 

And the flowers sweet perfume give. 
Grasses make the hillsides verdant, 

All the trees bright foliage wear— 
How delightful, just to live here 

In California, land so fair! 

In our State when golden Summer 

Comes with luscious fruit in store. 
It is then the birds sing loudest 

As from nest to nest they soar. 
Leafy trees make lanes inviting, 

Nature's grandeur blinds all care— 
Oh, how glad we are to live here 

In California, land so fair! 

In our glorious "Indian Summer," 

During our rich '^Harvest Home," 
Nature casts o'er all her mantle 

Bright with russet, gold and brown 
From the vineyards, purple clustered. 

Come the grapes so fine and rare— 
Yes, 'tis pleasure just to live 

Here in California, land so fair! 



In the winter when the storm clouds 

Float o'er land and sea, 
Even then our Western Country 

Quite enchanting seems to be; 
Then it is the orange ripens, 

And sweet violets scent the air— 
Ah ! 'tis Eden just to live here 

In California, land so fair ! 

1901. 



Spring T$Bm 

Spring is aproaching— how do I know? 
The rippling brooklet told me so 
As I paused to rest on its shady bank 
And some of its sparkling nectar drank, 
For I heard it say, very low, but clear : 
' ' Spring is coming, bright Spring is here. ' ' 

Spring is approaching— how do T know? 
The green meadow yonder told me so 
As I loitered there when the sun had set 
And the whistling quail had sought their nest ; 
The tender blades of the green grass there 
Said plainly: ''Kejoice, the Spring is here." 

Spring is approaching— how do I know! 
The evening zephyrs told me so. 
As they cooled my brow and caressed my cheek. 
They seemed in their gentle way to speak, 
Wooingly, softly, afar, then near: 
"Winter has vanished and Spring is here." 

Spring is approaching— how do I know? 

The fragrant wild flowers told me so 

As they sought to reveal their colors rare, 

Gorgeous enough for a queen to wear; 

Lovely children of Nature dear. 

They told me plainly that Spring was here. 



Spring is approaching— how do I know! 
Linnet, bluebird and meadow lark told me so 
As I listened one day to their wild, glad song 
And wandered away from the busy throng; 
I heard them say in a way sweetly clear : 
^'Oh, be hapi^y, for Spring is here.'' 

1902. 



Co my THend milic 

9999 ««^* 

You have asked me to write you a poem— 

Alas, for the favor you ask 
Of a friend who is willing, ready. 

To do for you any task. 

Could I gain from the nmrmuring brooklet 

The secrets it tries to tell. 
Could I gain from the billowing ocean 

Stories of nymphs that there dw^ell , 

Could I learn from the snowwhite lily 
That grows in lone mountain dells, 

A lesson of purity, patience, 
A story of morals I'd tell. 

Could I gain from the fragrant flowers 

That grow in the garden fair, 
The tales that the sweet birds whisper 

As they fly through the summer air, 

Or fathom the mysteries olden 

Of the budding and death of the leaves 

That sway in dismay at the Winter's storm, 
Or are soothed by the wooing breeze; 

Could 1 know when the twilight gatliers. 

If the stars are tokens of love. 
Or etchings in night's blue curtain. 

That the Angels may look from above; 



Had I but the mind of a Milton, 

The brains of a Tennyson, 
Or the pen of some fairy enchantress— 

I'd write you a marvelous one. 

Had you loaned me your eyes with their brightness, 
Had you loaned me your heart with its love. 

Had you loaned me jour hands with their friendship. 
That I '11 value wherever I rove ; 

Had you loaned me your voice with its sweetness. 
Had you loaned me your face with its smile— 

Ah, then I could write 3^ou a poem. 

That by critics would stand a fair trial! 

As it is, 1 cannot write a poem ; 

Indeed, it is useless to try- 
But I may in the distant future. 

In the time that is called "Bye and Bye." 

1899. 



Co ClK Blind 

May He who knows tlie sparrows fall 
And all the inmost thoughts of man, 
Look down with pity and with love 
On him, who knows not Nature grand. 

God help the blind and ^\\f their minds 
With scenes and dreams as fair as May, 
For 'tis a cross most hard to bear 
To be a child of night, not day. . 

To sit through all the summer hours 
And hear the birds sweet trills of cheer. 
To smell the flowers and feel the breeze 
With soft caresses murmur near. 

To sit besides the bright home fire 
And hear the voices, dear and low, 
And know not size or form or face 
Nor visions in the fire that glow. 

Yes, surely as the patient blind 
Live on in their dim sightless world, 
God gives them more than he who sees 
And has vast fields of light and gold. 

To them perchance the warbling birds 
Tell of far lands in glorious note. 
Grander to him who cannot see 
That words some famous poet wrote. 



Yes, may the Father of us all 
Be kind and patient to the blind, 
For they perhaps in His own land 
Will see, and know and understand. 

1899. 



IDy Day Cime Drcatn 

How strange it seemed and yet liow sweet 

That day time dream I had 

When the flowers bloomed and the sun shone bright 

And even the birds were glad. 

I dreamed I was old and my hair as white 

As the snow of a winter's day 

But my memory was strong and my pulses throbbed 

As they did that evening in May. 

I dreamed I was looking o'er souvenirs 
And keepsakes of days gone by 
And as I glanced on each token fair 
I could not but heave a sigh, 
Last but not least was a withered rose 
Which though very faded and dead 
Brought visions bright of a summer night 
When it was pretty and red. 

Of a laddie good and lassies two 

Wlio seeking for knowledge had gone 

To instructions given by the pastor reverend 

On the good the church had done 

Of the pleasant stroll after Vesper hours 

For the night was too tempting for home 

Of the "bouquets" received and the ''bouquets" 

given 
As contentedly we roamed. 



Of the locust tall tliat lent its leaves 

To shade a small rose tree 

Of a party of three and one of which 

Kindly plucked the rose for me, 

Ah, rosebud red may their friendship be 

Not like your leaves to wither ! 

But rather like your perfume sweet 

That I know will last forever. 

Yes dainty, odorus, red rose 

As a memoir hid away 

Though only to some a trifling toy 

Your fragrance will last always. 

Anon to remind me of pleasures 

That like you have faded and gone. 

Of that summer day with its starlight eve 

As I dav dream alone. 1899. 



yjimn message 

The herald of Storms, bold Thunder, passed here 
Today, with this message from Winter old, 
"I am coming along at a rapid pace 
With days that are dreary and cold. 

Soon the birds will be gone to the sunny Southland 
Yet a few shall remain, just for cheer, 
And the flowers of summer fragrant and fair 
Shall sleep through the time I am near. 

The leaves, gold and russet, will fall to the ground 

To keep dear old mother Earth warm. 

And the hillsides and valleys will look bleak and 

bare 
When from all their beauty they're shorn. 

The rain 'gainst the casement will spatter and 

splash, 
Tlie wind through the tree tops will sigh. 
And the mountains I'll cover with beautiful snow 
From their base to their peaks towering high. 

I am cjuite rough and gruff as you already know 
Yet not as unkind as I seem 
For often I'll vanish the rainclouds so dull 
And the sun in its glory shall gleam. 



Winter flowers shall peep from their beds in the sod 
And their fragrance shall perfume the air, 
The winter birds songs will be gladsome and clear 
As their welcome notes sound far and near. 

The earth in delight at the brightness around 
Shall put on a robe richly green, 
Bespangled and fair with Jack Frost's gifts so rare 
That he's gathered from brooklet and stream. 

But ever anon, there'll be wind, rain and storm 
And the land will look gloomy awhile, 
I promise retreat. Ere I go watch the East 
And you'll see there, the Bainbow, my smile. 



June tide 



The dew had wept tlie day's decline 
The night had lit her countless lamps 
When Tess, Irene and Will and I 
Strolled out that Sunday eve so bright 

Strolled where the moonbeams as they shone 
Through the tall green walnut trees 
Made a chequered path on which to walk 
And enjoy the cool, evening breeze. 

Out of that merry group of four 
Two there were as the time flew by 
Who didn't recite and who wouldn't sing 
But they could if they'd only try. 

For one little girl there was who sang 
She with the tresses of brownish hue 
And the crickets chirped by the dusty way 
In dismay as she sang songs old and new. 

Another there was with coal black hair 

And eyes that coquettishly looked at the moon 

She was asked to sing but politely refused 

For "her sweet bells were out of tune." 

Many days will have come and gone 

Many eves with their star gemmed sky 

Will fade fore'er from the sight of man 

Ere we wander again as the swift hours fly 

But as the time passes quietly on 

Let these few verses recall to your mind 

The pleasant hours of that Junetide sweeT 

And the little orirl who wrote these lines. 1899. 



Co Baby €ugene 

Sweet Eugene, with liair so curly 
So soft, so silky and bright. 
Sweet Eugene, with cheeks so dimpled 
And blue eyes that sparkle with light. 

Today, July ninth, is your birthday 
Today you are two years old. 
Two years of infinite pleasure 
Has over your baby soul rolled. 

Enjoy your baby pleasures 
Dear little Gene while you may, 
Boyhood and manhood are harder 
Than these your babyhood days. 

Play on baby Gene, with your playthings 
Your dollies and books and ball 
And may no gloom howe'er tiny 
O'er your fair brow e'er fall. 

Dear Gene, may your life be ever 
Like the violets modest and sweet, 
May your cheeks e'er be rosy and dimpled 
Though fast away the years fleet. 

May your life when you've grown to manhood 
Be such as it is today. 
Simple and pure and peaceful 
Lighted by Love's holy ray. 

1897. 



T Can Only Be a friend to Vou 

At a homestead clustered o'er with sweetest roses 
Lived a girl with dreamy eyes and golden hair, 
The village belle she was with many suitors 
For she was just as good as she was fair. 
When evening breezes whistled round the cottage 
And niglit birds warbled forth their simple lay 
Oft some village lad would tell her that he loved her 
But she would only softly gently say: 

CHOEUS. 

''Friends through Life's journey we can only be 

I know" you 'd ever prove true 

Another claims my heart 'tis fates decree 

I can only be a friend to you." 

In a city far away bravely toiling day by day 
Was the lad this maid had loved for many years 
On one happy summer day in the merry month of 

May 
He came to wed the girl his heart held dear 
Now when vesper bells are sounding o'er the 

meadow 
And round their home the twilight shadows fall 
He loves her only more as she tells of days of yore 
And how these words she said to suitors all 

CHOEUS. 

''Friends through Life's journey we only can be 

I know you'd ever prove true, 

Another claims my heart 'tis fates decree 

I can only be a friend to you." 

1900. 



C. n. $. eia$$ Song 

Composed for June Class of 1900 of the Chico 

State Normal School. 

Tune "On Venice Waters.^' 

Nature lies sweetly dreaming 
'Neatli a flood of golden light, 
As we with hearts of gladness 
While away the moments bright, 
As we with hearts of gladness 
So free from all care now, 
Let our voices ring with a merry din 
As the summer air bathes our brow. 

Bright were the hours we spent here 
Within these dear old walls 
In Memory's picture gallery 
These hours will be first of all 
And though we go with pleasure 
To teach and gently rule 
Within our hearts we will treasure 
A love for this Normal school. 

Yes, though we go with gladness 

W^e fain would say "Good Bye" 

To all whose loving kindiiess 

Has caused the time to |fly. 

And as we go we leave here 

This tree of peace, goodwill 

That you may sometimes think of us 

As we bound o'er Life's rocks and rills. 



CHOKUS. 

Happy, lightliearted we 
Launch into Life's deep sea 
Over its unknown waters wide 
Seeking for truth where e 'er it abides 
Shunning all evil ways 
Thus will we spend our days 
Voyaging along, steadfast and strong 
We will forever stay. 1900. 



Cwilisbt 

Night has pinned back her curtain of azure 
With the dainty twinkling stars, 
And day with its heated radiance 
Has faded in the West afar. 

Sweet hours of quietude, of rest and peace 
The time when lovers whisper soft and low, 
How sadly sweet thou see 'st with moments fleet 
To me, who loves, the dreamy twilight so ! 

The toilsome labors of the day are done 
The drowsy bee has long since gone to rest. 
The pretty birds have sung their vesper hymns 
And gone unto the trees that shelter best. 

The flowers droop their dainty perfumed heads 
And in a pensive attitude they lie 
Until the Twilight deepens into Night 
And Morning opens clear with golden dyes. 

When all is quiet, calm and still 
A deep, deep pleasure fills my very soul, 
For could I pen the thoughts that fill my mind 
A glorious, wond'rous story might be told. 

1897. 



Sutttmer Girl 



Now you are a happy Summer Girl 
Care free and full of fun, 
And royally must you rule dear 
For your reign has just begun. 

Lounging at will in the hammock soft 
Reading some pleasant book, 
Or hid away on the ocean shore 
In some romantic nook. 



Dipping your feet in the water cool 
Laughing aloud in your glee. 
Oh there 's nothing like being a summer girl 
Happy light hearted and free. 



Enjoy yourself while the summer sun 
In its splendor shines on the sea, 
And makes a mirror wherein can be seen 
The sky as blue as can be. 

For the winter clouds and winter storms 
Alas ! too soon will they come, 
And my Summer Girl will sigh "Adieu" 
And return to ' ' Home Sweet Home. ' ' 

1899. 



Remember me 



Our sweet, youthful days are passing 
Quickly and happily by, 
Very soon dearest friend we'll be parting 
And the thought of it, makes me sigh. 

Soon our merry school days will be over 
And the lessons of school life done, 
But pray, let one thought round you hover 
Eemember me and our fun. 

Remember me, dear old schoolmat< 
As you sail life's voyage through. 
And though its at times dark and stormy 
I'll be always a true friend to you. 

Remember me when 'midst the happy 
And when you light hearted and free. 
Are surrounded by pleasures and loved ones 
Spare just one, wee thought for me. 

Our lives may glide on together 
Like the pleasures of a dream, 
God grant that it may be thus, dear, 
For the voyage, will then shorter seem. 

Perhaps one of us may wander 
Far away across blue foreign seas 
If this be our fate, dear schoolmate 






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